U.S. patent number 7,661,251 [Application Number 12/196,521] was granted by the patent office on 2010-02-16 for header float system for use with an agricultural windrower or combine.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Deere & Company. Invention is credited to Thomas D. Bebernes, Tom Nichols, Steven K. Parsons, Dave V. Rotole, Charles S. Sloan, Lary Williams.
United States Patent |
7,661,251 |
Sloan , et al. |
February 16, 2010 |
Header float system for use with an agricultural windrower or
combine
Abstract
An agricultural harvester includes a traction unit and a crop
harvesting header coupled with the traction unit. The header
includes a main frame with a right hand (RH) side and a left hand
(LH) side. A RH gauge wheel is movably coupled with the RH side of
the main frame, and a RH hydraulic cylinder is coupled between the
RH gauge wheel and the main frame. A first hydraulic circuit is
coupled with the RH hydraulic cylinder and configured to control an
operating height of the RH gauge wheel. A LH gauge wheel is movably
coupled with the LH side of the main frame, and a LH hydraulic
cylinder is coupled between the LH gauge wheel and the main frame.
A second hydraulic circuit is coupled with the LH hydraulic
cylinder and configured to control an operating height of the LH
gauge wheel. The second hydraulic circuit is independent from the
first hydraulic circuit. A third hydraulic circuit is coupled with
a vertical position hydraulic cylinder and configured to operate at
a predetermined operating pressure, whereby a portion of the weight
of the header is carried by the traction unit. The third hydraulic
circuit is independent from each of the first hydraulic circuit and
the second hydraulic circuit.
Inventors: |
Sloan; Charles S. (Blakesburg,
IA), Bebernes; Thomas D. (Ottumwa, IA), Parsons; Steven
K. (Ottumwa, IA), Williams; Lary (Dubuque, IA),
Nichols; Tom (Eldon, IA), Rotole; Dave V. (Bloomfield,
IA) |
Assignee: |
Deere & Company (Moline,
IL)
|
Family
ID: |
41351783 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/196,521 |
Filed: |
August 22, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
56/10.2E;
60/413 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01D
41/145 (20130101); A01D 41/141 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01D
41/14 (20060101); A01D 46/08 (20060101); A01D
75/28 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;56/10.2E,15.8,208,121.46 ;60/413,470,484 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Fabian-Kovacs; rpad
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Taylor & Aust, P.C.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An agricultural harvester, comprising: a traction unit; and a
crop harvesting header coupled with said traction unit, said header
including: a main frame with a right hand (RH) side and a left hand
(LH) side; a RH gauge wheel movably coupled with said RH side of
said main frame, and a RH hydraulic cylinder coupled between said
RH gauge wheel and said main frame; a first hydraulic circuit
coupled with said RH hydraulic cylinder and configured to control
an operating height of said RH gauge wheel; a LH gauge wheel
movably coupled with said LH side of said main frame, and a LH
hydraulic cylinder coupled between said LH gauge wheel and said
main frame; a second hydraulic circuit coupled with said LH
hydraulic cylinder and configured to control an operating height of
said LH gauge wheel, said second hydraulic circuit being
independent from said first hydraulic circuit; a vertical position
hydraulic cylinder associated with said header; and a third
hydraulic circuit coupled with said vertical position hydraulic
cylinder and configured to operate at a predetermined operating
pressure, whereby a portion of a weight of said header is carried
by said traction unit, said third hydraulic circuit being
independent from each of said first hydraulic circuit and said
second hydraulic circuit.
2. The agricultural harvester of claim 1, wherein said vertical
position hydraulic cylinder is a float cylinder coupled with said
main frame.
3. The agricultural harvester of claim 2, wherein said harvester is
a windrower and further including a lift frame movably mounted to
said main frame, said float cylinder being coupled between said
lift frame and said main frame of said header.
4. The agricultural harvester of claim 1, wherein said vertical
position hydraulic cylinder is a lift cylinder coupled with said
traction unit for lifting said header.
5. The agricultural harvester of claim 4, wherein said harvester is
a windrower, and said traction unit includes a vehicle chassis, and
further including a lift frame movably mounted to said vehicle
chassis, said lift cylinder being coupled between said lift frame
and said vehicle chassis.
6. The agricultural harvester of claim 4, wherein said harvester is
a combine and said traction unit includes a vehicle chassis and a
feeder housing movably mounted to said vehicle chassis, said lift
cylinder being coupled between said vehicle chassis and said feeder
housing.
7. The agricultural harvester of claim 1, wherein said first
hydraulic circuit includes a first accumulator and said operating
height of said RH gauge wheel is controlled by controlling a volume
of hydraulic fluid in said first hydraulic circuit; wherein said
second hydraulic circuit includes a second accumulator and said
operating height of said LH gauge wheel is controlled by
controlling a volume of hydraulic fluid in said second hydraulic
circuit; and wherein said third hydraulic circuit includes a third
accumulator and said portion of said header weight carried by said
traction unit is controlled by controlling a fluid pressure in said
third hydraulic circuit.
8. The agricultural harvester of claim 1, wherein said header is a
draper header.
9. The agricultural harvester of claim 1, wherein said header is
one of a rigid frame header and a flexible frame header.
10. The agricultural harvester of claim 1, further including a
controller which independently controls said first hydraulic
circuit, said second hydraulic circuit, and said third hydraulic
circuit.
11. The agricultural harvester of claim 10, wherein said controller
is located on one of said traction unit and said header.
12. A hydraulic system for use with a header of an agricultural
harvester, said hydraulic system comprising: a first hydraulic
circuit coupled with a hydraulic cylinder of a first gauge wheel
which is movably attached to a main frame of the header; a second
hydraulic circuit coupled with a hydraulic cylinder of a second
gauge wheel which is movably attached to said main frame of the
header, said second hydraulic circuit being independent from said
first hydraulic circuit; a third hydraulic circuit coupled with a
lift cylinder which is used for moving the header vertically
relative to a traction unit, said third hydraulic circuit being
independent from each of said first hydraulic circuit and said
second hydraulic circuit; and a controller which independently
controls said first hydraulic circuit, said second hydraulic
circuit, and said third hydraulic circuit, whereby an operating
height of said first gauge wheel is controlled by controlling a
volume of hydraulic fluid in said first hydraulic circuit, an
operating height of said second gauge wheel is controlled by
controlling a volume of hydraulic fluid in said second hydraulic
circuit, and a portion of a weight of the header carried by said
first gauge wheel and said second gauge wheel is controlled by
controlling a fluid pressure in said third hydraulic circuit.
13. The hydraulic system of claim 12, wherein said first hydraulic
circuit includes a first accumulator, said second hydraulic circuit
includes a second accumulator, and said third hydraulic circuit
includes a third accumulator.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to agricultural harvesters, and, more
particularly, to lift and float systems used on headers for such
harvesters.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An agricultural harvester, such as a combine or windrower, is a
large machine used to harvest a variety of crops from a field. In
the case of a combine, during a harvesting operation, a header at
the front of the combine cuts ripened crop from the field. A feeder
housing supporting the header transfers the crop material into the
combine. Threshing and separating assemblies within the combine
remove grain from the crop material and transfer the clean grain to
a grain tank for temporary holding. Crop material other than grain
exits from the rear of the combine. An unloading auger transfers
the clean grain from the grain tank to a truck or grain cart for
transport, or to another receiving bin for holding.
In the case of a windrower, during a harvesting operation, a header
at the front of the windrower cuts ripened crop from the field. The
crop is transported to the rear of the header and forming shields
form a windrow of the crop between the tires of the vehicle for
natural dry down of the crop. A subsequent field operation picks up
the windrows for further processing, such as separating and
cleaning in the case of grain crops, or baling or chopping in the
case of hay.
Platform headers and draper headers are header types commonly used
when harvesting crops such as small grains, peas, lentils, and
rice. During a harvesting operation with these header types, it is
desirable to maintain a predetermined cutting height. To accomplish
this, it is known to use a header float system or a terrain
following system to enable the header to follow the ground over
changing terrain without gouging or digging into the soil.
Manufacturers have developed a number of header float systems for
use on harvesters such as combines, windrowers, etc. over the
years. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,717,995, 3,623,304, and 4,724,661 disclose
examples of header float systems using a resilient suspension to
suspend the header, thereby reducing the apparent weight of the
header, allowing it to lightly skid across the ground over changing
terrain. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,597,907, 4,622,803 and 5,471,823 disclose
examples of similar float systems, but using a dynamic suspension
to suspend the header. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,577,373, 6,041,583 and
6,758,029 B2 disclose examples of terrain following systems which
dynamically position the header, thereby sensing and changing the
vertical position of the header to follow changing terrain.
What is needed in the art is a float system for a header which
accommodates both cutting height and tilt on the header, and load
distribution between the header and traction unit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention in one form is directed to an agricultural harvester,
including a traction unit and a crop harvesting header coupled with
the traction unit. The header includes a main frame with a right
hand (RH) side and a left hand (LH) side. A RH gauge wheel is
movably coupled with the RH side of the main frame, and a RH
hydraulic cylinder is coupled between the RH gauge wheel and the
main frame. A first hydraulic circuit is coupled with the RH
hydraulic cylinder and configured to control an operating height of
the RH gauge wheel. A LH gauge wheel is movably coupled with the LH
side of the main frame, and a LH hydraulic cylinder is coupled
between the LH gauge wheel and the main frame. A second hydraulic
circuit is coupled with the LH hydraulic cylinder and configured to
control an operating height of the LH gauge wheel. The second
hydraulic circuit is independent from the first hydraulic circuit.
A third hydraulic circuit is coupled with a vertical position
hydraulic cylinder and configured to operate at a predetermined
operating pressure, whereby a portion of the weight of the header
is carried by the traction unit. The third hydraulic circuit is
independent from each of the first hydraulic circuit and the second
hydraulic circuit.
The invention in another form is directed to a hydraulic system for
use with a header of an agricultural harvester. The hydraulic
system includes a first hydraulic circuit coupled with a hydraulic
cylinder of a first gauge wheel which is movably attached to a main
frame of the header. A second hydraulic circuit is coupled with a
hydraulic cylinder of a second gauge wheel which is movably
attached to the main frame of the header. The second hydraulic
circuit is independent from the first hydraulic circuit. A third
hydraulic circuit is coupled with a vertical position cylinder
which is used for moving the header vertically relative to a
traction unit. The third hydraulic circuit is independent from each
of the first hydraulic circuit and the second hydraulic circuit. A
controller independently controls the first hydraulic circuit, the
second hydraulic circuit and the third hydraulic circuit, whereby
an operating height of the first gauge wheel is controlled by
controlling a volume of hydraulic fluid in the first hydraulic
circuit, an operating height of the second gauge wheel is
controlled by controlling a volume of hydraulic fluid in the second
hydraulic circuit, and a portion of a weight of the header carried
by the first gauge wheel and the second gauge wheel is controlled
by controlling a fluid pressure in the third hydraulic circuit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side-view of a harvester in the form of a combine,
showing an embodiment of a header of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the header in FIG. 1, shown attached to
the front of a windrower (shown partially);
FIG. 3 is a partial, rear perspective view of the header shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2, showing a gauge wheel and associated hydraulic
cylinder;
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a hydraulic circuit
used with the header shown in FIGS. 1-3; and
FIG. 5 is a partial, rear perspective view of another embodiment of
a header of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1,
there is shown an embodiment of an agricultural harvester in the
form of a self-propelled combine 10 commonly used in a grain
farming operation to harvest a variety of crops from a field.
Combine 10 generally includes a traction unit 12 which carries a
header 14 at the forward end thereof.
Traction unit 12 includes an onboard engine 16 which powers combine
10, while ground engaging wheels 18 support and propel combine 10.
An operator controls combine 10 from an operator's station located
in a cab 20 at the front of traction unit 12. An electronic control
unit (ECU) 22 receives commands from operator input devices and
sensors, and commands various function of combine 10.
A feeder housing 24 pivotally attaches at the front of the combine
10, supporting header 14 which is removably attached to the front
of the feeder housing 24. A pair of lift cylinders 26 support and
articulate feeder housing 24 from combine 10, enabling the raising
and lowering of header 14 relative to the ground. Lift cylinders 26
may be single or double acting hydraulic cylinders connected to a
main hydraulic circuit on combine 10.
During a harvesting operation, combine 10 moves forward through the
field with header 14 lowered to a working height. Header 14 cuts
and transfers crop material to the feeder housing 24, which in turn
transfers the crop material into combine 10. Once inside the
combine, threshing and separating assemblies 28 remove grain from
the crop material and transfer it to a grain tank 30 for temporary
holding. Crop material other than grain exits from the rear of the
combine 10. An unloading auger 32 transfers the grain from grain
tank 30 to a truck or grain cart for transport, or to another
receiving bin for holding.
FIG. 2 illustrates header 14 coupled with a traction unit in the
form of a windrower 40 (shown partially) rather than a combine 10
as shown in FIG. 1. Providing a single floating header 14 which can
be coupled with different types of traction units (e.g., a combine
or windrower) allows reduction in operating costs.
Similar to combine 10, windrower 40 includes a vehicle chassis 42
supporting an operator's cab 44. Windrower 40 also typically
includes at least one onboard ECU 22, usually positioned at a
convenient location within cab 44 as shown. It will be appreciated
that ECU 22 can be configured and/or programmed differently than
ECU 22 shown in FIG. 1, since the functions of the units differ.
ECU 22 includes the control logic for operation of the electronics
and hydraulics associated with header 14, as will be described in
more detail below. A number of hydraulic hoses (not specifically
shown) carried on header 14 are coupled with the main hydraulics of
windrower 40 for various hydraulic functions, also to be described
in more detail below.
Windrower 40 includes a lift frame 46 which is pivotally mounted to
vehicle chassis 42 and detachably interconnects vehicle chassis 42
with header 14. A pair of lift cylinders 48 coupled between vehicle
chassis 42 and lift frame 46 are used to move header 14 to a
selected operating or transport height. A mechanical drive 50
extending laterally from lift frame 46 is coupled with driven
mechanical components (e.g., cutterbar) on header 14 in known
manner.
Lift frame 46 includes a pair of bottom couplers 52 and a top
coupler 54. Each bottom coupler 52 attaches in a conventional quick
attach manner with an outboard end of a corresponding lower link
56. Top coupler 54 attaches with an outboard end of upper link 58,
configured as a tilt cylinder in the illustrated embodiment. When
header 14 is detached from windrower 40, lift frame 46 remains
pivotally mounted to vehicle chassis 42.
Lift frame 46 has an advantage of simply and directly
interconnecting header 14 with vehicle chassis 42 of windrower 40.
It is also possible to use an intervening sub-frame between lift
frame 46 and header 14. The sub-frame would remain attached to
header 14 when detached from lift frame 46, and would have an
advantage of holding upper link 58 at a fixed orientation for
easier subsequent attachment with lift frame 46.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, header 14 is configured as a draper
header in the illustrated embodiment, but could also be configured
as a different type of header, such as an auger feed header.
Moreover, draper header 14 is shown as being configured as a rigid
frame draper, but could also be configured as a flexible frame
header.
Header 14 generally includes a main frame 60 supporting a reel
assembly 62, a cutter-bar assembly (not shown), and a draper
assembly (not shown). A floating suspension system 64 coupled with
main frame 60 primarily supports header 14 from lift frame 46,
while a pair of gauge wheels assemblies 66 serve to secondarily
support header 14 from the ground. Gauge wheel assemblies 66 are
coupled with the right hand (RH) and left hand (LH) sides of main
frame 60, respectively. Each gauge wheel assembly 66 includes a
gauge wheel 68 movably coupled with main frame 60, and a hydraulic
cylinder 70 coupled between the gauge wheel and main frame 60.
Referring to FIGS. 2-4, floating suspension system 64 includes
lower links 56, upper link 58, gauge wheel assemblies 66, and a
hydraulic system 72. Hydraulic system 72 includes the pair of
hydraulic cylinders 70 associated with each gauge wheel assembly
66, and also includes a pair of vertical position hydraulic
cylinders 74. In the embodiment shown, each vertical position
hydraulic cylinders 74 is configured as a float cylinder which
interconnects main frame 60 with a respective lower link 56. The
hydraulic cylinders 70 associated with each gauge wheel assembly,
and the pair of vertical position hydraulic cylinders 74,
respectively define three independent hydraulic circuits under
control of ECU 22. More particularly, a first hydraulic circuit 76
is associated with hydraulic cylinder 70 at the RH side of main
frame 60, a second hydraulic circuit 78 is associated with
hydraulic cylinder 70 at the LH side of main frame 60, and a third
hydraulic circuit 80 is associated with the pair of vertical
position hydraulic cylinders 74 at the center of main frame 60.
Hydraulic circuits 76, 78 and 80 are each fluidly coupled with the
main hydraulic circuit onboard traction unit 12, and each include a
separate accumulator 82 and controllable valve 84.
According to an aspect of the present invention, header 14 is
configured with an adjustable cutting height and adjustable weight
distribution between header 14 and traction unit 12. In general,
the cutting height at the outer ends of header 14 is adjusted by
changing the volume of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic cylinders
70 associated with gauge wheel assemblies 66, and the weight
distribution between header 14 and traction unit 12 is adjusted by
altering the operating hydraulic pressure within float cylinders
74. The operating pressure in third hydraulic circuit 80 relates to
the lift force on header 14. Float cylinders 74 still act as float
cylinders but at a given operating pressure, in essence acting as a
hydraulic "spring".
During a harvesting operation, an operator engages a float
activation device (such as a switch) to operate header 14 in a
float mode, and may also manipulate a float setting device (such as
a dial) for a desired header float response. Once engaged in the
header float mode, ECU 22 reads the float setting device,
indicating a level of suspension support required of the float
suspension system 64 by the operator, for example, as a percent of
the header weight or desired pressure in the float circuit. ECU 22
then determines a target pressure in third hydraulic circuit 80
adequate to provide the suspension support commanded.
In general, valve 84 associated with first hydraulic circuit 76 is
opened to provide a desired volume of hydraulic fluid within the
corresponding hydraulic cylinder 70 associated with RH gauge wheel
68. The volume of fluid in the first hydraulic circuit 76
determines the cutting height at RH gauge wheel assembly 66.
Similarly, valve 84 associated with second hydraulic circuit 78 is
opened to provide a desired volume of hydraulic fluid within the
corresponding hydraulic cylinder 70 associated with LH gauge wheel
68. The volume of fluid in the second hydraulic circuit 76
determines the cutting height at LH gauge wheel assembly 66. A
portion of the weight of header 14 is then transferred to traction
unit 12 by adjusting the target operating pressure within third
hydraulic circuit 80.
To determine the target pressure for third hydraulic circuit 80,
ECU 22 may reference data correlating pressure values with
suspension support values. This correlated pressure data will vary
from header to header as a function of header weight and suspension
configuration, and may generate from tables, formulas, or sensor
readings (e.g., pressure sensor 86). ECU 22 might read the
correlated data from a storage device on header 14. Data might also
be stored in memory internal to the combine, with ECU 22 selecting
the appropriate data after sensing the header type attached to
combine 10.
Alternatively, ECU 22 may determine the target pressure for third
hydraulic circuit 80 by reading pressure sensor 86 when header 14
is at a height where the skid plates are not in contact with the
ground. At such a height, floating suspension system 64 supports
the entire weight of header 14, and the pressure in the third
hydraulic circuit 80 indicates a baseline pressure whereby float
cylinders 74 entirely support header 14. ECU 22 then determines the
target pressure by multiplying the baseline pressure by a factor
corresponding to the suspension support indicated from the float
setting device.
ECU 22 continuously compares the target pressure with pressure
sensor 86 readings indicating pressure in the third hydraulic
circuit 80, commanding valve 84 to add or subtract hydraulic fluid
from third hydraulic circuit 80 to maintain pressure sensor 86
readings equal to the target pressure. In this manner, ECU 22
continuously maintains target pressure in third hydraulic circuit
80 as float cylinders 74 reciprocate over changing terrain,
providing constant support of the header 14 by the suspension
system 60 as the combine 10 travels through the field. To change
header float response while operating in a header float mode, the
operator may further manipulate the float setting device without
disengaging the float system. ECU 22 continuously monitors the
float setting device for changes, determining and applying new
target pressures accordingly. The header float system continues to
function until the operator disengages the float activation
device.
Alternatively, ECU 22 can initially compare the target pressure
with the pressure sensor 86 readings indicating pressure within
third hydraulic circuit 80, commanding valve 84 to add or subtract
hydraulic fluid from third hydraulic circuit 80 until the reading
from the pressure sensor 86 matches the target pressure. Once
charged to the target pressure, third hydraulic circuit 80 can be
sealed and the corresponding accumulator 82 acts to maintain target
pressure in third hydraulic circuit 80 as the float cylinders 74
reciprocate over changing terrain. To change header float response
while operating in header float mode, the operator may further
manipulate the float setting device without disengaging the float
system. ECU 22 continuously monitors the float setting device for
changes, determining and applying new target pressures accordingly.
The header float system continues to function until the operator
disengages the float activation device.
Control logic for header 14 is described above as being under the
control of ECU 22 onboard the work machine. However, it is also
possible to provide header 14 with an onboard ECU (not shown) with
control logic for the electronics and hydraulics used in the header
float system. This has the advantage of not having to program the
ECU onboard the work machine, and also reducing process loading on
the ECU onboard the work machine. Of course, an ECU on the header
may be configured to communicate with the ECU on the work machine,
either wired or wireless, etc.
In the embodiment above, the fluid pressure associated with float
cylinders 74 is used to set a lifting force which in turn transfers
weight from header 14 to traction unit 12, 40. It may also be
possible, depending upon the configuration, to use an adjustable
operating pressure within lift cylinders 26, 48 to transfer weight
from header 14 to traction unit 12, 40.
FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a floating suspension
system 90 of the present invention, which generally operates
similar to the embodiment of floating suspension system 64
described above. Floating suspension system 90 still includes a
pair of lower links 56 which connect to main frame 60 by way of
float cylinders 74. Floating suspension system 90 also still
includes a tilt cylinder 58 and a lift arm 48. However, only a
single lift cylinder 48 is used on top of the suspension system 90,
rather than a pair of lift cylinders at the bottom of the
suspension system. Floating suspension system 90 also still
includes a pair of guide wheel assemblies (not shown) at the RH and
LH sides of main frame 60. Operation of the floating suspension
system 90 is substantially the same as described above with
reference to floating suspension system 64.
Having described the preferred embodiment, it will become apparent
that various modifications can be made without departing from the
scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.
* * * * *